From the three-day Move, Groove, Darling festival with everything from yoga to a Saturday night disco and parkour obstacle courses, to Ghostly Garden tours and nocturnal wildlife walks there's an activity to suit all families and budgets.
If none of these activities take your fancy, you can always create your own. Take imagination to new heights at Lyne Park's new seaplane inspired playground in Rose Bay, opt for a family picnic, take a walk around one of our city's parks, gardens or precincts, or cool down with a dip at Penrith Beach.
Some of the free event highlights this Autumn include:
Darling Harbour
Free activities:
· Move, Groove, Darling Festival: The 3-day event is jam packed with family fun from zen moments in our yoga and meditation zone to high-flying adventures at Parkoursome and a Saturday night Disco. These events are on from 18 to 20 April.
· Kids Yoga at Darling Quarter: Let out your inner mini-yogi with this weekly 30-minute session to help kids connect with their body, breath and mind. On Fridays 10.30am and 11.30am, all year round.
· The Art of Chinese Paper Cutting: Explore the fascinating origins of this ancient folk art, passed down through generations and learn about the intricate techniques while creating your own beautiful paper cut designs at the Chinese Garden of Friendship. On weekdays from 14 - 24 April 11am - 2pm (excl. public holidays).
The Rocks
Free activities:
· The Rocks Discovery Museum: A free family friendly museum that tells the story of The Rocks from pre-European days to the present. Open 10am - 5pm daily, all year round except Good Friday.
· Free Doll House Making at The Rocks Discovery Museum: Children can build their very own charming dollhouse and personalise it to their own style. Monday 14 - Thursday 17 April and Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 April from 11.00am - 1.00pm. Botanic Gardens Sydney and Domain.
Free activities:
· Daily guided walk: Explore the Garden and its remarkable history, botany, and wildlife on an unforgettable 1.5-hour guided walk. On 10.30am - 12.00pm daily, all year round (by donation).
· Alchemy of a Rainforest Exhibition: Step inside this immersive, sensory exhibition featuring spectacular rare and unusual tropical and subtropical rainforest plants. On 10.00am - 4.00pm daily, all year round (by donation).
In addition to the free events there are also a number of ticketed events on offer.
Ticketed activities:
· Plant Hunger Games: Come meet Arnie, the plant with a ferocious appetite, in this seriously silly outdoor theatre performance in the Gardens. On 15 April, 11.50am or 1:50pm, for $18 per ticket.
· Teatime with your elders: Led by First Nations Educators, children and their guardians will explore the Botanic Gardens to find plants used by the local Gadigal people of Sydney Harbour. On 14 or 21 April, 10.30am to 12:00pm, for $20 per child.
· Sunset Spotlight tour: Wander the garden pathways and visit special biodiversity locations such as the ponds to look for nocturnal animals - some who fly in for the night, others who are long-term residents. On 16 or 23 April, 6.30pm-8.00pm, $20 per child, $42 per adult.
· Wicked and Weird Plants: Join a workshop to create a carnivorous plant habitat, take a guided tour of the Garden and learn about incredible adaptations for survival. On 15 - 17 and 22 - 24 April, 10.30am-12.00pm, $25 per child, supervising adults are free.
Western Sydney Parklands
Ticketed activities:
· Nocturnal wildlife walk: A 1-hour guided wildlife adventure as the sun goes down. Spot animals - from brushtail possums, to microbats, tawny frogmouths, and grey-headed flying-foxes. On April 24 April, 4:45pm or 7pm, $20 per ticket.
· Little Red Riding Hood: Step into this interactive theatre experience and meet beloved characters like the hungry wolf, innocent Red Riding Hood, and the brave huntsman. On 23 April, 10.30am-11.30am, $20 per ticket.
· Park Science: Incredible insects at Lizard Log- Investigate why some bugs are brightly coloured while others blend in, discover how bees see, and learn about the wonders of invertebrates. On 16 or 22 April, 10am-12pm, $23 per ticket.
Callan Park
Ticketed activities:
· Alice in Easterland: In this theatre show join Alice as she embarks on an adventure to help the Mad Hatter find his Easter bonnet and deals with the Queen of Hearts. On 20 April, 10.30am, $20 per ticket.
· Park Rangers Incredible Insects: Through bug hunts, nature walks, and hands-on activities like creating an insect hotel and insect-inspired art, your child will gain a deeper understanding of the important role insects play in our ecosystem. On 14 or 24 April, 10am-12pm, $23 per ticket.
Parramatta Park
Ticketed activities:
· Alice in Easterland: In this theatre show join Alice as she embarks on an adventure to help the Mad Hatter find his Easter bonnet and deals with the Queen of Hearts. On 21 April, 10.30am, $20 per ticket.
Centennial Park
Ticketed activities:
· Alice in Easterland: In this theatre show join Alice as she embarks on an adventure to help the Mad Hatter find his Easter bonnet and deals with the Queen of Hearts. On 19 April, 10.30am or 1.30pm, $20 per ticket.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"We've got a jam packed line up of events across Sydney's public spaces to save your household from boredem this Autumn School Holidays.
"From discos, yoga, parkour and more at the Move, Groove, Darling festival to the art of Chinese paper cutting in the Chinese Garden and park science initiatives across the parklands there's something for everyone and every budget.
"Our parks, gardens and precincts offer fun, active and imaginative experiences and opportunities all year round and there's no better time to make the most of them than over the Autumn holiday period before winter weather starts to creep in."
